A legal practitioner, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, on Monday, October 6, 2025, approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, praying it to issue a perpetual injunction restraining former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for nomination as a presidential candidate.
Jideobi, who told the court that he is an advocate of constitutionalism and the rule of law, is also seeking an order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a candidate in the 2027 presidential election.
Former President Jonathan was listed as the first defendant in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, while INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation were listed as the second and third defendants respectively.
In the suit, the plaintiff is asking the Court to interpret Sections 1(1)-(3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended and also asked the court to determine whether Jonathan remains constitutionally eligible to contest for president having previously completed the unexpired term of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and also served a full term after emerging victorious in the 2011 election.
The plaintiff also contended that Jonathan had already exhausted the two terms allowed by the Constitution, saying that any attempt to contest again would violate the provisions of the Constitution.
In an affidavit, deposed to by one Emmanuel Agida, the plaintiff, said he filed the suit to prevent a potential breach of the Constitution should any political party field Jonathan in 2027.
Jideobi insisted that if Jonathan were allowed to contest and win the 2027 election, it would amount to taking the oath of office as president for a third time, which he noted the Constitution does not permit.
He said that he instituted the suit in the interest of the public with a view to uphold constitutional order and the rule of law.
The court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the suit.
